Admission Requirements
Introduction to solid state physics: bandstructure, crystal symmetries, phonons. Introductory quantum mechanics course.
Description
In this course, we provide you with an overview of the contemporary topics in today's research on condensed matter and quantum devices. These include low-dimensional systems, magnetism, spintronics, and quantum transport (e.g., superconductivity and quantum hall effect). Our goal is to help you develop an intuitive understanding of the physics behind these phenomena. To do this, we will explore relevant experimental research, and discuss their ongoing role in shaping the theoretical models used in condensed matter, and beyond.
Special emphasis is placed on the research performed in the quantum material groups at the Leiden Institute of Physics.
Course objectives
The student has an overview of several main themes of contemporary condensed matter physics and quantum devices.
The student is able to explain why different models are chosen for different systems.
The student can recognize a system described by single-electron physics, and can explain why a system of correlated-electrons would behave differently.
The student can describe the origin of magnetism and the fundamental interactions, which lead to different types of magnetic ordering.
The student will have studied an example of frontier research in quantum materials, reflected on it, and communicated in a comprehensive manner.
Ultimately, the student can apply the insights from this course to a wide range of examples in today's research on quantum materials and devices, where many-particle physics and macroscopic quantum phenomena play a crucial role.
Timetable
See timetable in Brightspace
You will find the timetables for all courses and degree programmes of Leiden University in the tool MyTimetable (login). Any teaching activities that you have sucessfully registered for in MyStudyMap will automatically be displayed in MyTimeTable. Any timetables that you add manually, will be saved and automatically displayed the next time you sign in.
MyTimetable allows you to integrate your timetable with your calendar apps such as Outlook, Google Calendar, Apple Calendar and other calendar apps on your smartphone. Any timetable changes will be automatically synced with your calendar. If you wish, you can also receive an email notification of the change. You can turn notifications on in ‘Settings’ (after login).
For more information, watch the video or go the the 'help-page' in MyTimetable. Please note: Joint Degree students Leiden/Delft have to merge their two different timetables into one. This video explains how to do this.
Mode of instruction
Lectures and workgroups. 12 times a 2 hour lecture and 6 times a 2 hour workgroup.
Assessment method
75% of the grade comes from the exam, which may be oral or written, depending on the number of students. The remaining 25% is for an essay, which the students (usually in pairs) write on a current experimental research project at the Leiden Institute of Physics.
Reading list
Material will be available through Brightspace and must be studied before the start of each lecture.
Registration
As a student, you are responsible for registering for each course component. This can be done via Mystudymap. You do this twice a year: once for the courses you want to take in semester 1 and once for the courses you want to take in semester 2.
Registration for courses in the first semester is possible from July onwards; registration for courses in the second semester is possible from December onwards. For more information, see this page
Please note that it is mandatory for all students to register for their exams. This can be done up to and including 10 calendar days prior to the exam or up to five calendar days in case of a retake exam (retake registration opens 30 days before the retake takes place). You cannot participate in the exam or retake without a valid registration in My Studymap.
Contact
Lecturers:
Dr. K. Lahabi Dr. K. Lahabi
Prof. Dr. Ir. SJ van der Molen Prof.dr.ir. SJ van der Molen